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Meet Grace
Grace Olson is an author, therapist and animal lover based in Leeds, West Yorkshire. She is the writer of best-selling, tragicomic memoirs The Yard and The Farm – books which bring joy and transformation for the reader. She has also penned a series of beautifully illustrated, sheep-themed children’s books to empower young minds - Merlin Finds His Magic, Galahad Finds His Voice, Berel Finds His Wings and Rhubarb Finds His Family. Grace and her flock of therapy sheep are regularly featured on Channel 5’s popular series The Yorkshire Vet.
All About Me
Having my first children’s book launched on national television was not something I ever expected to experience. But then, I never believed I could become an author at all.
I wrote my first book during lockdown because suddenly I had a lot of time on my hands and I wanted to entertain people. So, what began as a weekly story on Facebook, eventually grew into a novel followed by many more books.
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It was very therapeutic to write about my mental health struggles and a lot of fun to wrap it all up in the comedy of the relationships that were growing in my life at that time – new friendships with horse-mad people and connections with the noble horses who ultimately healed me on the deepest of levels.
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As I am a therapist, I wanted my books to feel like a friend and show how it is possible to find inner-strength and self-healing even when we feel totally crap about ourselves. We all struggle with doubts and negative thoughts but ordinary people can live extraordinary lives and we can find mental and physical health benefits if we open up to the wonderful atmosphere of nature and the great outdoors.
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When sheep came trotting into my life, they opened up the opportunity for me to become part of the well-loved Channel 5 series, The Yorkshire Vet. It has been tremendous fun to be involved with this television programme and it was absolutely fantastic to have my book launch as part of the show.
"I love writing and I love how my book has helped so many people to laugh and cry and to open up about their own mental health issues.."
My writing
I write as an extension of my therapy work. So even though my novels are full of adventures, rich dialogue and very character driven, they also carry deeply meaningful and relatable messages conveyed in such a way as to teach without preaching. These stories are my life experiences but they are universal which is why they are helpful for others.
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The children’s stories - full of joyous escapades - are also written in such a way as to subtly impart valuable messages to encourage young minds to grow into self-confident and happy adults, able to form meaningful relationships with healthy boundaries.
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"Helping others is the theme of my life. I have been a therapist for 30 years, helping people with a wide range of problems. My goal is to set up a 'therapy farm' with the proceeds from my books."
My Dream
My favourite work is the most painful and difficult honour of helping people with terminal illness prepare for their take-off into the mysterious spiritual realm. I cry each time one of them flies away but it will always be the most worthwhile part of my life – it is my soul purpose.
My aim is to earn enough money from my books so that I can afford to do my therapy work at no cost for people with terminal illness. I would love to be able to own my own land and set up a ‘therapy farm’ with my horses and my sheep. They do wonderful work, helping lots of people but I would feel happier about it if I actually owned the land rather than renting it.
So that’s my dream and each time you buy a book you are helping to make it a reality.